About Us

Who We Are

Founded in 1973, the St. Croix Animal Welfare Center (AWC) provides and promotes the humane treatment of animals through humane education, animal protection and community service. Our duty is to the orphaned, abused, neglected and otherwise unwanted animals of St. Croix, US Virgin Islands.

We are the only animal shelter serving the residents of St. Croix, and other than a small contract with the government of the Virgin Islands we are dependent entirely upon donations and the goodwill of the community. Over 4000 animals pass through our shelter each year. We seek to provide the highest quality care to each and every visiting animal.

Your membership and support are essential to our ability to continuously meet the demand of maintaining this mission. Whether volunteering your time or contributing funds, every person can make a real difference.

What We Do

As the only companion animal shelter facility servicing St. Croix, the AWC provides care to thousands of dogs and cats each year. We fulfill the Territory contract for animal control, provide animal abuse response and investigation in collaboration with VIPD, and work to rescue, re-habilitate and re-home animals in need. In addition to island adoptions we save hundreds of animals lives through an off-island transfer program, “Paws from Paradise”, in partnership with Healing Paws VI.